REFLECTOR: Nose Wheel Steering

[Ron Brown]

I had to purchase a new nose wheel which was made exactly like my old one (which got damaged during a hard landing).

The only difference was the new wheel has stamped on it "Do Not Exceed 30 PSI".  My manual which came with my 1999 173 Elite says 45 psi for the nose wheel (and mains).

Since I installed the new nose wheel and maintained 30 or less PSI, I have not had any more shimmy.  I attributed it to the new thicker Bellville washers - perhaps it is the fact that I am now running less pressure than when I had shimmy problems????  

Ronnie
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Al Gietzen 
  To: 'Velocity Aircraft Owners and Builders list' 
  Sent: Thursday, May 08, 2008 10:28 AM
  Subject: Re: REFLECTOR: Nose Wheel Steering


    Andy wrote:

    , but it makes sense that an over inflated tire would contribute to the problem if the load was only riding on the center of the tread.

    It makes sense that a lower pressure provides a bit more damping, which could reduce the likelihood of shimmy, and reduce its severity.  Velocitys are generally pretty light at the nose unless you have a couple of heavy people up front.  I usually keep mine around 25 psi, just enough to keep the distortion down. 

    I had shimmy one time when the drag tension got down to about 10# (measured at the outer diameter of the wheel). I would call the severity modest - disconcerting, but no damage.  I try to keep jeep the tension around 14#, and have never had shimmy at that setting.  I have an SE RG with the stock bellvile washers that came with the kit back in '97.

    And I agree with Chuck about crabbing to compensate for cross wind on landing.  I don't have a lot of cross wind experience, but I have found when the main touches it tends to straighten out. Although when that happens I find it tends to bring the nose down more quickly - or maybe that's just me being more anxious when there's a cross wind.

    Al







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